Melissa de Raaf

Melissa de Raaf is a Professor of Dramaturgy and Cinematic Storytelling at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne (KHM) since the summer semester of 2018. Born in the Netherlands and based in Germany since 2004, her work as a scriptwriter and director operates in an international, cross-border context, fostering dialogue between diverse cultures. She is notably associated with Romanian auteur cinema following her collaboration on the acclaimed feature film Felicia über alles (2009).

• Key Affiliations: KHM, Impakt Festival (until 2004)
• Role: Professor, Independent Curator

Research Interests center on cinematic narration, experimental film, and audiovisual art. Her practice bridges theoretical frameworks with cross-cultural storytelling, emphasizing globalized media landscapes and transnational artistic collaboration. She has contributed to films such as Podslon (2010), Distinction (2012), and La Incorrupta (2016), often exploring themes of identity, multilingualism, and geopolitical intersections.

Curatorial and Institutional Contributions: De Raaf has curated film programs and exhibitions in audiovisual art, leveraging her role in the selection committee of the Impakt Festival in Utrecht (NL) until 2004. Her work at KHM integrates practical filmmaking with theoretical inquiry, particularly in Film History and Theory and Contemporary Art/Global South contexts.

Contact: mderaaf@khm.de | Office: Heumarkt 14, T.2.9, Cologne.